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Hillsborough County is located in the west-central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. In the 2020 census, the population was 1,459,762, making it the fourth-most populous county in Florida and the most populous county outside the Miami metropolitan area. Wikipedia

Cities: Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Plant City, Ruskin, Lutz, Valrico · See more

Population: 1.581 million (2024)

Congressional districts: 14th, 15th, 16th

Founded: January 25, 1834

Largest city: Tampa

Named after: Wills Hill, Earl of Hillsborough

Zip Codes: 33503, 33508, 33509, 33510, 33511, 33527, 33530, 33534, 33547, 33548, 33549, 33550, 33556, 33558, 33559, 33563, 33564, 33565, 33566, 33567, 33568, 33569, 33570, 33571, 33572, 33573, 33575, 33578, 33579, 33583, 33584, 33586, 33587, 33592, 33594, 33595, 33596, 33598, 33601, 33602, 33603, 33604, 33605, 33606, 33607, 33608, 33609, 33610, 33611, 33612, 33613, 33614, 33615, 33616, 33617, 33618, 33619, 33620, 33621, 33622, 33623, 33624, 33625, 33626, 33629, 33630, 33631, 33633, 33634, 33635, 33637, 33646, 33647, 33650, 33651, 33655, 33660, 33661, 33662, 33663, 33664, 33672, 33673, 33674, 33675, 33677, 33679, 33680, 33681, 33682, 33684, 33685, 33686, 33687, 33688, 33689, 33690, 33694, 33697, 33810

Latitude, Longitude: 27.9904° N, 82.3018° W

A Storied Past: From Seminoles to Railroads 🚂

Hillsborough County’s history is a microcosm of Florida’s own development. It was officially created on January 25, 1834, carved out of the massive Alachua and Monroe counties. It’s hard to imagine now, but at its inception, Hillsborough was a behemoth, its territory stretching south to encompass what would later become eight other counties, including Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota.

The county was named for Wills Hill, the 1st Earl of Hillsborough, who served as the British Secretary of State for the Colonies in the 1760s and 1770s. It’s a classic Florida story—a place named for a British aristocrat who likely never set foot on its soil.

For decades, it remained a sparsely populated frontier. The establishment of Fort Brooke in what is now downtown Tampa provided a nucleus for settlement, but true growth was ignited by two forces. First was Henry B. Plant’s railroad, which connected the isolated county to the rest of the nation in the 1880s. Second was the birth of the cigar industry in Ybor City, which brought an influx of immigrants and established Tampa as a major industrial center. These events transformed Hillsborough from a backwater into a burgeoning hub of commerce and culture.

The Heart of Tampa Bay ☀️

Today, Hillsborough County is a dynamic blend of environments. Its western side is dominated by the urban core of Tampa, the county seat, and the waters of Tampa Bay. This area is the region’s economic driver, home to Port Tampa Bay, the world-class Tampa International Airport (TPA), and MacDill Air Force Base.

Radiating out from the city are extensive suburbs like the one I’m in now, Citrus Park, as well as Brandon, Riverview, and New Tampa, each with its own distinct character. But what makes Hillsborough unique is its eastern half. Drive east past the suburban fringe, and the landscape changes dramatically to rolling fields and farmland. This is the home of Plant City, famous as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World,” a testament to the county’s vital agricultural sector.

The county government provides services to its three incorporated cities—Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace—as well as the massive unincorporated population that lives in its many CDPs and communities.

Hillsborough by the Numbers 📈

The county’s scale and diversity are evident in its demographic data.

• Established: January 25, 1834
• Named For: Wills Hill, Earl of Hillsborough
• County Seat: Tampa
• Population: Approximately 1.5 million residents, making it the fourth most populous county in Florida.
• Area: 1,266 square miles (of which 1,020 are land).
• Median Age: About 38 years old.
• Racial & Ethnic Composition: Extremely diverse and representative of modern Florida:
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~46%
  • Hispanic or Latino: ~30%
  • Black or African American: ~18%
  • Asian: ~5%
• Median Household Income: Approximately $72,000.

Countywide Attractions and Institutions 🏛️

Hillsborough is packed with world-class destinations that serve residents and draw visitors from around the globe.

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: A world-famous theme park that masterfully combines thrilling roller coasters with a premier zoo, offering a unique blend of adventure and wildlife encounters.
• The University of South Florida (USF): A major public research university with its main campus in Tampa. USF is a vital engine for innovation, education, and healthcare in the region.
• Florida Strawberry Festival: An 11-day event held annually in Plant City that celebrates the local strawberry harvest. It’s a beloved tradition featuring big-name concerts, rides, and every strawberry-based food imaginable.
• Tampa International Airport (TPA): Consistently ranked among the best airports in the U.S. for its design and customer satisfaction, TPA is a major gateway to Florida and a huge point of pride for the county.
• Lettuce Lake Conservation Park: A perfect example of the county’s excellent park system. This 240-acre park in northeastern Hillsborough features a boardwalk through a cypress swamp, an observation tower, and trails that showcase the area’s native flora and fauna.
• Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: The jewel of downtown Tampa’s revitalized waterfront, this 8-acre park hosts concerts, festivals, and community events, with stunning views of the city skyline and the University of Tampa.